Destination

Home to the World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Australia’s Red Centre is a vast outback wilderness characterised by endless horizons of rolling red sand dunes, green Desert Oaks and great domes of blue sky. Uluru lies around 60km west of Kata Tjuta and 470km south west of Alice Springs.How do I get there?

Outback icons

Standing some 873 metres high and visible from many vantage points around the Red Centre, Uluru is thought to have started forming around 550 million years ago. Rising higher still at 1,066 metres, Kata Tjuta is a mysterious gathering of 36 rock domes. Both landmarks are culturally significant to the indigenous Anangu people.

Unforgettable encounters

The Red Centre’s vast outback landscape offers a swag of adventures. A personalised itinerary of guided experiences at Longitude 131° offers guests an introductory understanding to the region’s fascinating geographical heritage and ancient indigenous living culture.

Field of Light

Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge

This Uluru base walk explores the legend of the Mala people, whose art lines cave walls along the way. At dusk, the tour enters Kantju Gorge, a cool retreat and ideal spot for canapés and sunset drinks.

Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta

Cultural
connection

Longitude 131° works with several Aboriginal arts communities to source the vibrant local artworks that guests see around the lodge, from ceramics to painted canvases, spears and weavings. The lodge has a special partnership with Ernabella Arts in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands whose artists periodically paint in residence with a backdrop to Uluru. Read about our engagement with local artists.

Field of Light

Artist Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed solar installation Field of Light in the foreground of Uluru is a wonderful interactive experience that captures the imagination of young and old. The outdoor light sculpture is a gathering of some 50,000 stems which bloom in soft frosted-glass and appear to sway in the breeze as the dusk falls on Australia’s spiritual heartland. Take a closer look

Bush
ingredients

Longitude 131° offers a contemporary Australian dining experience with premium produce delivered from around the country to the Red Centre. Bush ingredients like quangdongs or the desert peach, finger limes, muntrie and pepper berries and lemon myrtle add a uniquely outback flavour to the menu. Read about our Dining Philosophy.

Seasons of the outback

The semi-arid desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta makes for warm travelling conditions. Sunny days and cooler nights may be expected for much of the year, while the hot summer often sees dramatic storms with rains rendering the Red Centre a relatively lush green. The indigenous Anangu identify five seasons in the region, noting changes in the weather that have an impact on their day-to-day life.
The semi-arid desert makes for warm travelling conditions. Sunny days and cooler nights may be expected for much of the year, while the hot summer often sees dramatic storms sweep across the Red Centre. The Anangu identify five seasons in the region, noting changes in the weather that have an impact on their day-to-day life.

Summer

(DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)

During the summer months the hot, dry daytime conditions inspire a dip in the pool or an icy drink at the bar. Tours run in the cool of dawn and dusk and the night-time comes alive, with cooler temperatures and storms passing across the outback, offering the rare chance to see waterfalls cascading down Uluru.
Daytime temperatures range from 35–38°C in Summer.

Autumn

(MARCH – MAY)

Autumn is an ideal season to visit the Red Centre, when the semi-arid climate makes for great travelling conditions. Experience the desert landmarks in the cool of the morning before returning to a leisurely lunch. An afternoon rest is the perfect precursor to a sunset expedition and dinner.
Daytime temperatures range from 24–35°C in Autumn.

Winter

(JUNE – AUGUST)

Brisk mornings provide a fresh start to the day in winter, with the promise of sunshine and warmth ahead. Clear night skies offer a brilliant chance to discover the southern sky and the Milky Way Galaxy, watching for the lucky swoosh of a shooting star.
Daytime temperatures range from 20–24°C in Winter.

Spring

(SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)

Springtime in the Red Centre is the chance to see the desert blossom in colour as wildflowers transform the outback landscape. Spring offers ideal conditions to learn the ancient lore of the traditional Aboriginal owners and explore the regional flora and fauna with the lodge’s expert guides.
Daytime temperatures range from 29–35°C in Spring.

Itjanu

(JANUARY – MARCH)

Billowing or overcast (utawari) clouds build on the western horizon and move east to cover the sky, bringing rain. Storms can also come from other directions, bringing winds and tipping the temperature down. Many food plants flower during Itjanu and good rains produce ample fruit and seed.

Wanitjunkupai

(APRIL – MAY)

The cooler weather returns to Uluru now. Tjuntalpa clouds roll in from the south but stay above the hills until the end of the day without producing much rain. Reptiles begin hibernating ahead of winter.

Wari

(LATE MAY – JULY)

The cold season, when there is sometimes frost (nyinnga) and mist or dew (kulyar-kulyarpa) in the morning but little rain. The frosts dry and preserve the desert grasses. In summer this dry fuel can feed fires.

Piriyakutu

(AUGUST – SEPTEMBER)

Piriya is the name of the warm, steady wind that blows from the north and west in December. Warm weather brings reptiles out of hibernation, animals breed and food plants like the honey grevillea begin to flower.

Kuli

(AROUND DECEMBER)

Kuli is the hottest part of the year. Storm clouds (marutjara) roll in the sky and lightning flashes but there is little rain. Lightning strikes can cause fires.

Getting there

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located in the Red Centre in Australia’s Northern Territory. The main port, Ayers Rock Airport is three hours’ travel by air from most Australian capital cities. Longitude 131° is located 15 minutes’ drive from Ayers Rock Airport via lodge transfer, a three hour self-drive from Kings Canyon and a five hour self-drive from Alice Springs.

Commercial flights

Only three hours’ flight from most Australian capital cities, commercial flights are available to Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) for Uluru. All three airlines provide connecting flights from most major domestic destinations.

Charter flights

Airport transfers

The lodge operates airport transfers for guests, which are included in the tariff and connect with scheduled flights to and from Ayers Rock Airport.

Private airport transfers

Private transfers between Longitude 131° and Ayers Rock Airport may be arranged subject to availability for an additional charge of AUD $200 for up to four passengers (additional passengers AUD $50 per person) each way.

discover more

Nestled among rich red dunes, Longitude 131° overlooks Australia’s best-known natural icon, Uluru. Floor to ceiling windows and a high canopied roof offer a cool retreat from the Red Centre and lead the style of the guest pavilions beyond.

Longitude 131° offers the best of contemporary Australian cuisine, curated from the finest produce from all around the country, combined with indigenous and outback flavours to create a unique taste of Australia.